Rejuvenated Eyelids = Rejuvenated Face. See a Better You in the Mirror.

Numerous studies reveal that eyes are the most attractive facial feature to both men and women. Yet—with wrinkles, bags, form lines, crow’s feet, and sagging skin—it seems like Mother Nature and Father Time are teaming up to prove this research wrong.

“It’s unfair, right? Our eyes are shown to be the most beautiful feature on our face, but they are also the first to be impacted by age,” says Dr. Joseph Hunstad, a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been named one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly for 14 years in a row.

To better understand how to turn back the clock on these age-old eye issues, we asked Dr. Hunstad to reveal his insight on a popular procedure called blepharoplasty—more commonly known as an eyelid lift.

“An eyelid lift is one of the simplest ways to make the entire face look younger,” Dr. Hunstad asserts.

But simple certainly doesn’t mean just any doctor can successfully perform the procedure. “The eye is an extremely delicate area, so it’s critical to work with a surgeon who understands the intricacies of the skin and muscles around the eyes,” Dr. Hunstad explains. “Just because a doctor says they can perform the surgery, doesn’t mean they are qualified to actually do the work.”

To that end, it is recommended that a board-certified doctor—who has the proven education, training, and expertise—perform the procedure. Dr. Hunstad is a member of the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

An experienced surgeon will also help a patient choose the proper procedure. “Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, but only an expert can develop a surgical plan that meets the patient’s physical characteristics and aesthetic concerns,” Dr. Hunstad explains.

Still, there are some general guidelines for both procedures:

If you have a drooping upper lid that hangs over your eyes and makes them less prominent, an upper eyelid lift can bring your eyes out of hiding. The surgery can also smooth frown lines and other fine lines around the eyes.

If you have bags or puffiness under your eyes, a lower eyelid lift can smooth out the area and make your eyes look young again.

“Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, but only an expert can develop a surgical plan that meets the patient’s physical characteristics and aesthetic concerns,” Dr. Hunstad explains.

To get an idea of how Dr. Hunstad achieves superior results that look natural, we asked him to walk us through the process at a high-level.

For the upper eyelids:

Dr. Hunstad says the incision typically begins within the natural crease of the eye’s inside corner and extends slightly beyond the outside corner into the crow’s feet or laugh lines. “The incision line follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid and is camouflaged when healed,” he explains. Through this incision, the surgeon removes excess skin and fatty tissue so that the area is smoother and firmer.

For the lower eyelids: The incision is usually concealed just below the lower lashes where excess skin, muscle, and fat are removed to create a more youthful lower lid. “The fat beneath the eye can also be redistributed to remove puffiness or bulges,” Dr. Hunstad says.

In both procedures, the goal is to conceal the scars within the natural structure of the eyelid, so no one notices the work. “Again, this is another reason to partner with an experienced surgeon who understands the complexity of each and every step involved with blepharoplasty,” he asserts.

So, are your eyes enhancing your appearance? If not, an eyelid lift from a highly skilled surgeon can help reflect a younger you in the mirror.